I had the pleasure of meeting some really awesome writers when I attended the DFWCON Writer's Conference at the beginning of May. I wanted to do some spotlight interviews to showcase how awesome they really are. Our first interview is with someone who really made me feel welcomed to the conference and who gave me a lot of support when I really needed it (pitching to agents!). I asked her a few questions about her writing and about the conference. So without further ado...here is Angelique Jamail!!1. What is the book you are writing about?I actually have four books in process at the moment, in various stages of development. This is the cure for writer’s block: have more projects going than you have time for, so there’s always something else to work on when one thing feels stalled! The first is an e-book launching this summer, entitled Finis. Here’s the blurb that would be on the back cover (if e-books had back covers):

“Elsa’s family grows more unkind by the week. Her boss, a seven-foot-tall rage demon, has control of everything but his anger. And her cat wants to eat her. Things could be better. In a world where one’s Animal Affinity is a sign of maturity and worth, Elsa’s inability to demonstrate hers is becoming more than a disappointing nuisance; it’s becoming a danger. She has no confidence she’ll ever conquer her Plainness by “blossoming.” She also fears both the wolf packs that prowl her neighborhood and being stuck in a life plummeting rapidly from lackluster to perilous. Fortunately, she has a cousin and a co-worker who know her better than she knows herself and can see through to what society won’t. Finis. is the magic realism of our time, a story of finding one’s way to the end of things, of persevering through the dregs of life to discover something more.” (I haven’t yet announced the launch date for Finis. Be looking for it soon, though, on my social media, as well as information about the release party in Houston!)

Other projects in the works right now are a collection of poems entitled Gypsies (currently in revisions), another collection of poems entitled Playing House (on their way to my editor this week), and a novel tentatively entitled Forest of Diamonds, a literary fantasy and the first in a series (currently in rewrites).2. When did you know that you wanted to write?I think the first time I ever read one of my short stories to an audience was fourth grade. I’m pretty sure I’ve been writing poems and stories since I could physically write. But by seventh grade I had begun my first novel (which was never finished, predictably), and by eleventh grade I knew Creative Writing was my career path. In much the same way I don’t have any clear memories of being unable to read, I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t fascinated by and enamored of Story.3. What advice would you give a newbie writer who wants to be published?Write every day. I know this is a platitude, but it’s true. Even if all you do is scribble three sentences into a notebook when you first wake up in the morning or reflect in that notebook for five minutes every night, do it. Reflecting and writing every day improves the way our brains work. Cultivate the discipline to get the work done. It’s lovely when the Muse descends and you create a first draft that sparkles, but this is simply not how it happens most of the time. Persistence and perseverance are incredibly important and will help you develop a thick skin, which is absolutely essential for all writers who intend to share their writing with anyone other than their spouses or parents. And I wish I could say my skin is like armored hide, but it’s not; this is something we fragile egos work on all throughout our careers. But find a good critique group populated by smart people who love to read and whom you can trust to be honest with you; it’s best if many of the writers in it are even farther along than you are, because you want to be with people who will help you get better. And in return, give them your very best honest critiques, too, because they deserve that for helping you. Finally, increase your vocabulary and your depth of understanding of language. Words are your tools, and you want to make sure you know and can work with as many of them as possible.Will all of these things lead to publication? Not necessarily, in and of themselves. But they will make you better at writing, and that will help you along the path to publication. So will gaining knowledge about the industry. Know your audience, know your craft, know your field.4. What was the most beneficial thing you learned at DFWCON?DFWCon is such a fantastic conference, and I don’t know if I could isolate just one thing that was better than everything else. This year, I attended quite a few classes or seminars that helped me with different aspects of my current projects. I wrote a debrief about it here. I loved Jonathan Maberry’s tips for managing the writing life and Donald Maass’ workshop on the 21st-Century novel. Kay Honeyman and Suzanne Frank’s class on designing characters with built-in conflict potential was fantastic, as well as Julie Kibler and Natalia Sylvester’s workshop on tackling major novel revisions. There were more, too - in fact, so many great offerings that I had to split up from my colleagues and compare notes on all the different classes afterward, because there were just too many good things going on at the same time. Oh, or a time turner!5. Why should writers attend conferences?Even if you’ve been writing for a long time, even if you’re well established and feel like you have a good handle on how to do this writing stuff, go to conferences. Meet other people who work in your genre, in your field. Network with other writers. Make friends. Writing can become solitary most of the time, and you can become your own echo chamber if you don’t get out there and mingle with others going along on this harrowing, exciting journey, too. A writing conference is also one of the best places to learn about the industry. And if you’re finally ready to query a manuscript, conferences can be a great place to meet agents and editors to pitch to or consult with, to potentially elevate yourself above the nameless, faceless slush pile. The bottom line? Conferences are a professional development opportunity as well as being fun.Thanks so much Angelique for the chance to interview you! I know we all wish you luck with your e-book launching and I'm really looking forward to Forest of Diamonds. Thanks so much for your support at DFWCON and it was fun stalking agents with you at the Saturday night dinner!!If you would like more information on our Spotlight Writer, you can check out her website here!!Make sure to check back for another DFWCON Attendee Interview!!

I had the pleasure of listening to Jeanette pitch her second novel to a group of agents at the Lexicon Writers' Conference in Denton, TX and what I loved most about her is that you could just hear the passion in her voice for both her books and writing in general. I think that She has a huge career in front of her and I am so blessed to have been able to interview her. So, here it is!!1. What is Flying Solo about?

Flying Solo is about a strong, vivacious, daring 1960s housewife who is seeking a way out of a really bad marriage. All set in New Orleans and the French Quarter, readers are immersed in the colorful traditions of Mardi Gras, the delectable Cajun specialties of beignets and crawfish etoufee. French Cajun Nora Broussard Greenwood was born with the wanderlust. Her adventurous spirit doesn't fit the sedate expectations of catholic 1960s New Orleans suburbia. On a whim, she takes flying lessons to become a pilot. Experiencing the freedom of flight is liberating. However an illicit affair with her pilot instructor forces action. When she confronts her ruthless husband for a divorce, she is cast out sans her children and threatened with her life. Desperate to get them back and gain liberty, she steals her husband's plane. Trials and tribulations erupt as she navigates the turbulence her life has become. In a bizarre twist of fate, she serves as caregiver to her lover's sickly wife as a means to survive; hoping he will decide she is his soul mate. But is that to be? Nora must make the make the most difficult decision of her life in order to get things back on track.

2. What do you like about self-publishing? What do you find difficult about it?

For me, I feel there is a slight difference in self publishing and Indie publishing. Readers need to understand that difference. In self-publishing, an author uses a generic imprint of the self publisher for their book, for example CreateSpace, which uses the imprint BooksInPrint.com When you are Indie Published, you are published through a small press, usually one that represents a small group of writers. Indie publishers are not members of the “big six” publishing houses. Editors or managers of the press take a closer look at your work. You are not submitting queries through a literary agent admist thousands of other people. Because of that, previously unknown writers with a solid voice have a chance for their work to be seen. Many great books are published this way. FLYING SOLO is a great example of that. I had hawked it to hundreds of lit agencys and publishing houses, only to receive their standard rejection letter. I even submitted my query letter to The Query Shark online for review, only to have it be chewed up and spit out voraciously. So for me, publishing through AgeView Press gave me an opportunity. My case is a bit unique in that I own AgeView Press. AgeView features about three authors at the moment and are taking queries from others. When you Indie publish, your book carries the imprint of the small press. The road to Indie Publishing or self publishing however isn’t easy. Because it is easier for many books to get out there, the market is flooded with some books that probably should have stayed on someone’s computer. The quality is not up to national standards. Some books are poorly edited or packaged. My advice to wanna-be writers is that they do their homework. Spend some time in a book store purveying the books that are best sellers. Look at how they are written, formatted, and packaged. Then, get yourself a professional editor before you hit, submit! And if you can, get with a small press or Indie publisher. Your work will have more clout.

3. How did you feel when you first held a published book with your name on it?I am so glad you asked that question. I will never forget it. I had submitted all the files for the galley proof. Clicked, submit! I knew it would be about two or three days. When I drove up to the mailbox, I could see that a package was hanging from the gate. All of a sudden, I got really nervous. This was it. Scary!!!! It was actually happening. I was almost afraid to take it out of the box. I mean you have read it and re-read it for months, but here it was, an actual book. With your name on it!!! As I quickly undid the package it was exilerating. I was an author. But for me? As I took a closer look, my helium big balloon full of ego got shot right out of the sky! There was a mistake, not only on the back cover text, but the fore-matter was missing a page. Gah….and the editor had missed some typos. Double…GAHHHH!!!! I was not there yet. That’s why they call it a PROOF. It had to be resubmitted. So, that experience provided a reality check. Make sure you have a professional editor! Now that the finished copy is out there…..yes, it is thrilling every time I see it and sign a book.

4. What advice do you have for writers who want to self-publish a book?

Write away! Don’t keep that long-held story inside. Let it come out. But in the process, show your work. As you write, get the manuscript draft finished, but then put in the hands of various reading groups and writers groups. Let them critique it. Use a wise owl approach in receiving their criticisms. But let people see your work before you go to print. Then, rework the manuscript. Get a professional editor. Then, self publish or find a small press. And don’t forget, that the publishing is the easy part. Now you have to sell your book through extensive book marketing and packaging your image. That is the hard part, no doubt! Network, network, and network some more. Be patient, it takes months of work to get the buzz and word of mouth out about your book.5. What's something that you would like your readers to know about you?Although I am a nurse by trade, to pay the bills, I am well established as a writer and story teller in the healthcare world. It took years of publishing in the periodicals and professional journals of nursing, to finally realize what I loved to write about in the genre of fiction – strong, independent women. I only wish I had gotten started earlier. I wasted years writing and publishing for other people. Not writing what I am passionate about. I finally gave myself permission to do just that! Out on my sheep farm, is where I have written several novels and scripts. I the mother of four children, including two Navy pilots. My book, is dedicated to the independent joie de livre of my daughter. My youngest son, who I watch as he battles Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy is my muse for writing. He lives with me in a Victorian farmhouse out in the pastures of northeast Texas with our sheep, chickens, donkeys and sheep dogs.6. Where can my readers find your books?

Back in July I attended the Lexicon Writers' Conference in Denton, TX. I was a little nervous the first night because I didn't know anyone, so my friend Mariam and I attended the meet and greet dinner. The first writer I met was a man kind enough to share his table with us. His name was Louis Napoleon. I found him to be very interesting and passionate about his book and business. I sent him some interview questions, and here is what he had to say!1. What is your story "A Gangsta in the White House" about?A Gangsta In The White House is fiction. Set in Portland, Oregon and Washington,D.C., the story of Jamal David Evans, America's second African-American President.He is no Barack Obama, in looks, style, substance or motivation. And he is no friend ofthe American public that had so enthusiastically voted to make him the most powerfulman on the planet; he has one goal – divert billions from the U.S. Treasury to secretaccounts!

Story CharactersJamal David Evans… He had one motive, one goal – Get money! If it don’t money, it don’t make $en$e! LaShawn Evans…She wanted to be First Lady and get the last laugh at her high school class, who had ridiculed her for being poorly dressed; it was a life-long grudge turned into passion; her husband’s political success would be her revenge.Robert Parker (a.k.a. Slam)…Jamal Evans’ best friend from childhood, a multimillionaire drug kingpin who will do whatever is necessary to ensure the Senator wins the presidential election. His connection with the drug lords south of the borderand 3-billion dollars in drug money give Jamal Evans the financial edge.2. What do you want your readers to come away with after reading your novel?More than anything, I’d like readers to be entertained, to have a good read.3. When did you become interested in politics?In the 1960s, during the highly charged civil rights movement – Malcolm X had beenassassinated in 1965; Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy assassinated in 1968. I thought it was time for me to become more aware of the world I lived in, the “outside,”as I was incarcerated during all three events.4. What exactly is E-books by Crooks? How did it come to be?eBooks-by-Crooks Publishing is a for-profit business with a social mission, an online,user-friendly vehicle for prisoners and ex-prisoners on all levels of creativity and skills,with commissions paid to the writers. We provide carte blanche access to a world-wide marketing vehicle for “crooks who write books,” short stories, poetry,essays, and commentaries.eBooks-by-Crooks is a crime scene laboratory where readers can preview andpurchase uncensored, unapologetic literature written by crooks who write books. Names are changed to protect the guilty.5. Where can readers find your books?http://www.ebooks-by-crooks.com/about-us.htmlhttp://a-gangsta-in-the-whitehouse.com/I want to thank Louis for taking time out of his busy schedule for this interview. I hope you check out his books and stop by his website to find out more information about eBooks-by-Crooks. If you would like to promote your book, please send me a message through my Contact Form tab at the top of my website.